Chemo radiotherapy does it cure

[Antan]

I am in my 50s and thinking of what happens if my cancer has spread into my body.

Scc skin cancer may have spread, i will have pet scan and surgery. Currently on efudix.

In event it has spread, regards to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, do these treatments work? Or do they add on 2.1 months or whatever the statistics say? Or do they make dying more comfortable or more painful?

It is just that the side effects look terrible and I don't see that as quality of life if it doesn't cure.

Weighing up whether to have treatment or not if cancer has spread. 

[sch]

Hi @Antan 

I'm very sorry to hear about the cancer.

When I was diagnosed with bowel cancer I was told I would need surgery to remove the tumour.

After surgery they found the tumour was pushing/nudging up against a lymph node. They were unsure whether or not the tumour got to the lymph node or not.

I was given the option of monitoring only or chemotherapy.

Because I was 40 when diagnosed with cancer, I chose chemotherapy to hopefully kill any cancer cells that may or may not be in the body.

5 years post  surgery + chemotherapy, I am still cancer free.

I do have some neuropathy in my hands and feet, but that reduced over time.

I'm happy with the side effects and have no regrets about any of the choices.

-s